Adapter assembly for bottle filling device



Sept. 1, 1959 S. TOMKIN Filed Sept. 3, 1957 Fig.9

Fly/0 74 6am 7bm/r/n INVENTOR.

a2 30 BY 2 an Fm 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 1, 1959 s. TOMKIN 2,902,061

ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR BOTTLE FILLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III Fig.5 7

i [32 5am I 5 5 INVENTOR.

2; g ?\74 a M MW 2,902,061 Ice Patented'Sept. 1, 1959' ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR BOTTLE FILLING DEVICE Sam Tomkin, Middletown, NY.

Application September 3, 1957, Serial No. 681,836

5 Claims. (Cl. 141--55) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in filling means for bottle filling machines, and more specifically to an adapter assembly for converting existing filler valves.

In the conventional bottling process for both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, the bottle has first dispensed in the bottom thereof the necessary syrup. Afterwards, the bottle is filled with the necessary water, either carbonated or plain.

In the filling of a bottle with water in a bottle filling machine, a filler valve is used. In the operation of the filler valve, the bottle to be filled is elevated into engagement with the lower end of the filler valve. The bottle has theupper end thereof initially engaged with a seal forming member so as to seal the upper end of the bottle. The bottle is then engaged over a combination including a solid portion of a volume to displace the volume of the water which is lost before the vacuum is produced whereby the amount of water deposited in a bottle is controlled.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved filler valve for bottle filling machines, the filler valve utilizing the vacuum principle for controlling the flow of water from the combination water and counter pressure tube at the end of a bottle filling sequence, and

there being provided means for compensating for the,

' volume of water which drains from the combination water time and with no modification whatsoever to the filler water and counter pressure tube and a return tube. As

the upward movement of the bottle continues, a portion of the filler valve moves with the bottle and first opens a valve permitting a gas to enter into the bottle and pressurize the bottle, the gas having a continuous flow into the bottle and out through the filler valve. Further upward movement of the bottle results in the opening of the water valve. At this time it is pointed out that the pressure of the gas and the pressure of the water are balanced. As a result, the water will flow into the bottle under gravitational pressures. As the water flows into the bottle, it rises in the bottle until it reaches a level whereby the water closes the gas return tube. At this time the gas pressure within the bottle equalizes the water pressure and further flow of water into the bottle is prevented.

After the desired amount of water has been placed in the bottle, the bottle continues its travel through the filler machine to a point where the bottle is lowered. As the bottle moves downwardly, the water valve is first closed and then the gas valve is closed. There, of course,

remains in the combination water and counter pressure tube a quantity of water. At the present time filler valves are provided with a valve mechanism at the lower end of the combination water and counter pressure tube so as to seal the lower end thereof and prevent the loss of water from the combination water and counter pressure tube. This valve mechanism includes many components subject to wear and presents a constant source of trouble requiring undesired shut-down periods and the replacement of parts.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an adapter assembly for filler valves, the adapter assembly including means for closing the upper end of the combination water and counter pressure tube and a tip unit replacing the existing tip unit and control valve, the means closing the upper end of the combination water and counter pressure tube permitting only a limited flow of water from the combination water and counter pressure tube before a vacuum is produced therein to retain the remainder of the water within. the combination water and counter pressure tube, and the tip unit" valve with the exception of the removal of the mechanical valve components in the replacement thereof with the adapter assembly.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the filler valve which is the subject of this invention with a portion of thecentering valve broken away and shown in section to illus trate the details of the tip unit;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through a central part of the housing of the filler valve and shows the manner in which an upper guide sleeve for a valve stem is sealed by a plug so as to close the upper end of the combination water and counter pressure tube; I Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2 and shows further the details of the plug;

I Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken through the lower end of the filler valve and shows the specific details of the tip unit and the manner in which it is connected to the combination water and counter pressure tube;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 and shows the details of a modified tip unit;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of Figure 5 and shows the cross-section of the tip member of the tip unit;

Figure '7 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip member of the tip unit of Figure 4 and shows the general details thereof; V

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip member of. the tip unit of Figure 5 and shows the details thereof;

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an adapter barrel which forms a part of each of the two tip units; and.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the plug and shows the details thereof. j

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 the filler valve which isv the subject of this invention, the filler valve being referred. to in general by the reference numeral 10. The filler valve 10 is basically the filler valve which is now being manufactured and sold by the Liquid Carbonic S Corporation of Chicago, Illinois, and is very similar to the filler valve of Patent No. 2,461,326, assigned to that corporation.

Basically the filler valve includes a housing 12 having a mounting plate portion 14. Carried by the housing 12 in transversely spaced relation is a water control valve 16 and a gas control valve 18. The valve 16 is controlled by a plunger shaft 20 which extends below the mounting plate portion 14. The valve 18 is controlled by means of a plunger shaft 22 which also extends down below the mounting plate portion 14, but projects further downwardly than the plunger shaft 20. The water control valve 16 will, of course, have connected thereto a pressurized water source. The gas control valve 18 will have connected thereto both a pressurized gas source, and a return line (not shown).

Connected to the mounting plate 14 and extending downwardly therefrom is an upper sleeve 24. Telescoped on the upper sleeve 24 for vertical sliding movement is a lower sleeve 26 which is provided at the upper end thereof with an enlarged collar 28. Removably secured to the lower sleeve 26 is a bell 30 which has a downwardly and outwardly flaring roller flange 32 to facilitate the centering of a bottle with respect to the filler valve 10.

Disposed within the sleeves 24 and 26 are numerous components including a tubular member 34 which is referred to as a snifter tube. Disposed within the snifter tube 34 is a combination water and counter pressure tube 36. The tubes 34 and 36 are so connected to the housing 12 whereby gas and water under pressure from the valves 18 and 16 pass downwardly through the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 and the gas flows back up through the snifter tube 34.

Normally the lower end of the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 is provided with a tip unit and a valve assembly, the valve assembly being provided with a valve seat and valve member for closing the lower end of the combination water and counter pressure tube 36. The valve member is carried by a rod which extends up through a fitting 38 carried by the housing 12 intermediate the valves 16 and 18 and projecting upwardly therebetween, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The fitting 38 is sealed with respect to the housing 12 by means of a gasket 48. The original filler valve proved defective in that either the seal for the upper end of the valve rod become worn and must be replaced or the valve itself at the lower end of the combination water and counter pressure tube would not function completely. Inasmuch as a leak where there are fluids under pressure is undesirable and prevents efiicient operation, whenever the leak occurred, it became necessary to repair the filler valve. This, of course, resulted in a shutdown of the complete bottle filling machine.

In order to overcome the problems of the original valve, it has been proposed to permit the valve to operate on a vacuum principle for retaining that amount of water within the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 after the bottle filling operation has been completed.

Illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is a plug which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 42. The plug 42 includes primarily an elongated shaft 44 having a head 46 on the lower end thereof. The upper end of the shaft 44 is externally threaded as at 48 and has threadedly engaged thereon a removable head 50. The head 46 is provided with a screw driver slot 52 whereas the movable head 50 is provided with a screw driver slot 54. Carried by the shaft 44 intermediate the heads 46 and 50 is a compressible and expansible resilient sleeve 56. By moving the head 50 towards the head 46, the sleeve 56 may be endwise compressed so as to expand circumferentially. The plug 42 is mounted in the upper end of the fitting 48, as is shown in Figure 2, so as to close the fitting 38. It may be installed by using two screw drivers to hold the head 46 while turning the head 50. i

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated one of the tip units which is the subject of this invention, the tip unit being referred to in general by the reference numeral 58. The tip unit 58 includes an adapter barrel 60 which is in the form of an elongated sleeve and which has its upper end pressed on a reduced lower end portion 62 of the combination water and counter pressure tube 36. The lower end of the adapter barrel 60 is internally threaded as at 64 and has removed threadedly engaged therein a reduced upper portion 66 of a tip member 68. The tip member 68 is in the form of a solid plug and water is admitted to a bottle from the adapter barrel 60 by means of a plurality of radiating, circumferentially spaced apertures 70 formed in the adapter barrel 60 intermediate the ends thereof and above the upper end of the tip member 68.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of tip unit which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 72. The tip unit 72 includes the adapter barrel 60, but difiers from the tip unit 58 in that it utilizes a tip member 74, the tip member 74 being a replacement for the tip member 68.

The tip member 74 is provided with a reduced intermediate externally threaded portion 76 which is threadedly engaged with the internally threaded lower portion 64 of the adapter barrel 60. The tip member 74 also includes a reduced upper end 78 which covers the apertures 70 and normally prevents the flow of water and gas therethrough.

Extending down through the tip member 74 is an enlarged bore 80 for the flow of water and gas. The extreme lower end of the tip member 74 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending apertures 82 communicated with the bore 88. At this time it is pointed out that both the tip member 68 and the tip member 74 have pointed lower ends to facilitate their engagement within the neck of a bottle to be filled.

In the operation of the filler barrel 10, as modified, when a bottle (not shown) is aligned with the filler valve 18 it is then moved vertically towards the tiller barrel 10 automatically. The upper end of the bottle engages the centering barrel 3t and moves upwardly with the particular tip unit being utilized passing downwardly into the neck of the bottle. The bottle continues its upward movement and the snifter tube 34 and the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 passed down into the bottle. The upward movement of the bottle continues and it engages a sealing ring carried by the lower sleeve 26 to form a seal therewith. As the upward movement of the bottle continues, the sleeve 26 is moved upwardly and the collar 28 engages the plunger shaft 22 so as to open the gas valve 18. This permits circulation of a gas under pressure down into the bottle through the combination water end counter pressure tube 36 and back out of the bottle to the snifter tube 34. As the bottle continues to move upwardly, the collar 28 engages the plunger shaft 20 to open the water valve 16. Water then flows into the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 and down into the bottle through the particular tip unit.

Water flow continues until such time as the Water reaches a level within the bottle wherein the lower end of the snifter tube 34 is closed. Since the gas can no longer escape from the bottle, and since the pressure of the gas is balancing the pressure of the water, no more water will enter the bottle.

As the bottle moves about the bottle filling machine of which the tiller valve is a part, it is again lowered with the result that the water valve 16 is first closed and then the gas valve 18 is closed as the collar 28 moves downwardy. As the bottle continues to move downwardly, there is a tendency for the water in the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 to flow down into the bottle. The upper end of the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 being closed, only a small amount of water flows down into the bottle before the vacuum built up in the upper end of the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 will prevent the remainder of the water from fiowing into the bottle. This volume of water can be readily determined.

In view of the fact that it is desired that the same amount of water he placed in each bottle and each bottle be filled to the same level, this can be readily accomplished by making the tip members 68 and 74 of such a bulk whereby they displace in the bottle an amount of water equal to the amount of water which will flow from the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 after the bottle filling operation has been completed. Thus the amount of water which will flow from the combination water and counter pressure tube 36 before the vacuum will take elfect will be compensated for.

It is to be understood that when the bottle reaches the filler valve, it is already provided with the necessary syrup and such syrup is in the bottom of the bottle. When the bottle is to be filled with a carbonated water, the tip unit 58 is used. The carbonated water flows out through the aperture 70 against the sides of the bottle and down the sides of the bottle so that foaming is held at a minimum. On the other hand, when bottling still drinks which often use a boiling water, it is desired that the water he directed into the syrup rather than against the sides of the bottle so as to prevent cracking of the bottle. In this instance the tip unit 72 is used.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that there has been devised an adapter unit which may be incorporated in an existing filler valve so as to convert that filler valve from one type of control to another. It will also be seen that the filler valve, once it has been con verted in accordance with this invention, is relieved of an undesirable valve mechanism and at the same time is eflicient in operation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a filler valve of a bottle filling machine, a water control assembly, said filler valve including a combination water and counter pressure tube, said water control assembly comprising means permanently closing an upper end of said combination water and counter pressure tube whereby when the water supply to said combination water and counter pressure tube is cut off, water is retained in said combination water and counter pressure tube by means of a vacuum formed by a small amount of water flowing from said combination water and counter pressure tube, and a tip unit for the lower end of said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including a solid portion of a volume to displace from the liquid in a bottle being filled a volume equal to the volume of the small amount of water lost from said combination water and counter pressure tube.

2. In a filler valve of a bottle filling machine, a water control assembly, said filler valve including a combination water and counter pressure tube, said water control assembly comprising means permanently closing an upper end of said combination water and counter pressure tube whereby when the water supply to said combination water and counter pressure tube is cut off, water is retained in said combination water and counter pressure tube by means of a vacuum formed by a small amount of water flowing from said combination water and counter pressure tube, and a tip unit for the lower end of said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including a solid portion of a volume to displace from the liquid in a bottle being filled a volume equal to the volume of the small amount of water lost from said combination water and counter pressure tube, said means being in the form of a plug including a shaft having a fixed head at one end and a movable head at the opposite end, and an expansible resilient packing member positioned on said shaft intermediate said head.

3. In a filler valve of a bottle filling machine, a water control assembly, said filler valve including a combination water and counter pressure tube, said water control assembly comprising means permanently closing an upper end of said combination water and counter pressure tube whereby when the water supply to said combination water and counter pressure tube is cut off, water is retained in said combination water and counter pressure tube by means of a vacuum formed by a small amount of water flowing from said combination water and counter pressure tube, and a tip unit for the lower end of said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including a solid portion of a volume to displace from the liquid in a bottle being filled a volume equal to the volume of the small amount of water lost from said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including an adapter barrel and a tip member, said tip member being replaceable.

4. In a filler valve of a bottle filling machine, a water control assembly, said filler valve including a combination water and counter pressure tube, said water control assembly comprising means permanently closing an upper end of said combination water and counter pressure tube whereby when the water supply to said combination water and counter pressure tube is cut off,

water is retained in said combination water and counter pressure tube by means of a vacuum formed by a small amount of water flowing from said combination water and counter pressure tube, and a tip unit for the lower end of said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including a solid portion of a volume to displace from the liquid in a bottle being filled a volume equal to the volume of the small amount of water lost from said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including an adapter barrel and a tip member, said tip member being replaceable, said adapter barrel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced flow passages, said tip member being solid.

5. In a filler valve of a bottle filling machine, a water control assembly, said filler valve including a combination water and counter pressure tube, said water control assembly comprising means permanently closing an upper end of said combination water and counter pressure tube whereby when the water supply to said combination water and counter pressure tube is cut oif, water is retained in said combination water and counter pressure tube by means of a vacuum formed by a small amount of water flowing from said combination water and counter pressure tube, and a tip unit for the lower end of said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including a solid portion of a volume to displace from the liquid in a bottle being filled a volume equal to the volume of the small amount of water lost from said combination water and counter pressure tube, said tip unit including an adapter barrel and a tip member, said tip member being replaceable, said tip member including at least one flow passage opening through the lower end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

